Putting down the letter, Wang Xiaolie stood up and looked out the window. A full moon hangs in the sky, and the cold moonlight shines down, making the room mottled.
It was already mid-June, and Zongze was in very bad health. He has been bedridden for the past few days, and people in the city are in panic. Wang Xiaolie knew in his heart that Zongze's days were numbered. An old man in his seventies, after the hard work during the Jingkang period, coupled with the fatigue of guarding Kaifeng in the past two years, and the lack of support from Zhao Gou in the court, Zongze could no longer support him.
I couldn’t figure out before why I felt I had to come to Kaifeng. Now I understand a little bit, maybe I came to witness Zongze’s last days.
This is an era of humiliation, but also a great era. In this era, many great people have appeared. Zongze is one of them.
Zongze's official career was not smooth, and he did not become a general judge until he was in his sixties. If there had been no invasion of the Jin Army, he might have died of old age in this middle- and lower-level position. When the national crisis came and others were afraid to move forward, Zongze resolutely went north. Then assist Zhao Gou and accompany him through the most difficult time. After that, he stayed in Tokyo, worked hard and took up his post until he was old.
Looking at Zongze's life, even though he has actually met and interacted with him now, Wang Xiaolie still can't imagine what kind of person he is. His firm will and calmness in the face of danger are unmatched by others.
Zongze is great. It is precisely because of Zongze's greatness that his deeds in guarding Kaifeng have been exaggerated by later generations. With millions of soldiers, Zongze had already crossed the river, so why would he be wronged in Kaifeng? At this time, the Bianhe River was blocked, and Kaifeng City could not support many people. Wang Xiaolie felt that the exaggeration of Zongze by later generations actually overshadowed his brilliance. It is precisely because of the difficulties that Zongze is rare.
Looking at the moon outside the window, Wang Xiaolie picked up the letter on the table again. Zongze's life is coming to an end, and it's time for him to leave Kaifeng. A few days ago, I had been unsure about where to go next, but now I understand that it is time to return to my hometown. There are rolling mountains and large plains in my hometown. It is not the core area for competition between the Song and Jin Dynasties, but a good place for development.
Historically, Yue Fei occupied Xiangyang, and it was the troops here that formed the Yue Family Army. Yue Fei's Northern Expedition also followed this route. This route is also the place where Guan Yu shocked China in history.
Sitting down again, Wang Xiaolie closed his eyes and silently thought about his actions in the past two months. He knew in his heart that Zongze's life was coming to an end and it was time for him to return to his hometown. At that time, I should start a new era.
Early the next morning, someone came from Liushou Mansion and asked Wang Xiaolie to see Zongze immediately.
Entering the Liushou Mansion, Wang Xiaolie found that many people came today. Many generals in the city were waiting early.
Zongze was lying on the couch, his face was pale, and there was no blood on his face. He coughed from time to time, which was heart-wrenching.
He saluted. Zongze said: "The weather is in June now. The Jin people's bows are not strong, the horses are not fat, and they cannot withstand the heat. It is the time to cross the river. A few days ago, Wang Yan led his army to Huazhou. I want to use Wang Yan's army to cross the river. Take the Huai, Wei, Jun, and Xiang prefectures. Hebei Wumashan Ma Kuo and other troops will take Mingzhou, Qingyuan, and Zhending Prefecture from Daming Prefecture. The armies in Kaifeng City, Yang Jin, Li Gui, Wang Shan, and Ding Jin The other groups will advance hand in hand, unite the rebel armies from Hedong and Hebei, cooperate with each other inside and outside, and regain the lost territory."
Speaking of this, Zongze coughed violently. The soldiers next to him saw this and hurriedly handed over water.
Wang Xiaolie looked at Zongze with an indescribable feeling in his heart. It was already mid-June. Besides, what was the use of crossing the river in June to go north? Everyone can see that it is difficult for Zongze to support it, and in fact all the arrangements have not taken effect.
After drinking the water, Zongze was silent for a while. Then he said: "The three of you will go to Xijing next month. Xijing was attacked by the Jin people and burned down. It is the most damaged place. It is where the imperial mausoleum is located, and it cannot be compared with other places. After you arrive in Xijing, the most important task is to defend it. Imperial Tomb.”
Why guard the imperial tomb? Because after July, we need to prepare for autumn. Depending on the temperament of the Jin people, it is very possible to enter Jingxi Road again. Most of the cities on Jingxi Road now don't even have guards, and they are simply at the mercy of others. Zongze's soldiers were not enough to defend the western states of Beijing, so he could only focus on defending Luoyang.
Wang Xiaolie looked at the other two people who came in with him. The one in front is Lu Qing, who is in charge of the infantry division, and the other is Yue Fei.
At this time, Sanya had no effect. Lu Qing only had a name, but he was actually a general under Zongze. The current garrison in Kaifeng Mansion, Wang Yan's Eight-Character Army and Kong Yanwei's subordinates form their own system. The other armies are difficult to manage. What Zongze can mobilize is actually the subordinates of the left-behind department. Zongze sent Lu Qing and Yue Fei to Xijing, which shows that guarding the imperial mausoleum was important to him. In fact, Zongze tried once in April, but Han Shizhong and Ding Jin failed.
Wang Xiaolie just felt that he was a little surprised among them. Lu Qing and Yue Fei belonged to Zong Ze, but he was actually a rebel. But then I thought about it, I had actually participated in the Battle of Luoyang, so it wouldn't be surprising if I went again this time.
At this time, the arrangements for the Northern Expedition had actually failed. All the armies, except Wang Yan who arrived in Huazhou, did not move. Zongze had no choice but to send today's three armies to Luoyang.
The three crossed their hands and said yes.
Zongze nodded slightly. He added: "South of Luoyang, there is Yiyang Zhai Jin's headquarters. After you arrive, you must be friendly with Zhai Jin and guard Luoyang City together. The country is in ruins, and nothing can happen to the imperial mausoleum again."
The imperial mausoleum of the Song Dynasty is in Yong'an County, east of Luoyang, where Wang Xiaolie woke up. The last time the Jin army came south, it was not destroyed, but it may not be the case next time. As a stay-at-home in Tokyo, you actually don't have to worry about Xijing's affairs. But there was no one in Xijing, so Zongze had to take care of it.
Zongze closed his eyes and took a short rest. He opened his eyes and said: "Last year, the Jin soldiers came south and attacked countless states and counties. No one could resist. This autumn and winter, the Jin soldiers will surely come south again. You must be extra careful. There is no imperial army around Luoyang, Xijing, and it is more dangerous than Kaifeng. "
Lu Qing was born in Ban Zhi, so he was naturally good at martial arts, rough-tempered, and not as delicate as a scholar. He crossed his hands and said, "You can feel at ease if you stay behind. When I get to Luoyang, the imperial mausoleum will never be lost! If you go on a business trip, I will be held responsible for it!"
Zongze waved his hand slightly: "As long as you do your best, there is no need for your military order. Last year, the Jin people did not attack the capital, but they surrounded the prefectures and counties, and suffered many disasters from the Jin soldiers. This year, we must prepare early, and we can't be like last year."
After saying that, he coughed violently again. Upon seeing this, Wang Xiaolie and the others hurriedly folded their hands and left.
After leaving the room, Wang Xiaolie crossed his arms to Lu Qing: "Lieutenant, if you have any orders, just give them. It's already mid-June, and there won't be too many days to set off next month. We need to make preparations early. .”
Lu Qing said: "You killed fifty golden troops in Yong'an County, and you can be the vanguard of our army this time. After you go back, make preparations and wait for my military orders. By the way, is your army short of food?"
Wang Xiao hunted the fork hand: "I once went to Caizhou to buy grain, and there was still some leftover. But when I arrived in Luoyang, it was hard to tell."
Lu Qing nodded. After thinking for a while, he added: "It is best if there is no shortage of food and grass. Also, when we go to Luoyang, do we need to recruit civilian husbands again?"
Wang Xiaolie thought for a while and said: "It would be better if we have one or two hundred young men, so that we don't have to carry grain and grass in the army. We have few soldiers. If we don't have porters, I'm afraid most of the army will have to carry grain and grass."
Lu Qing nodded and took notes without saying anything else. It is not difficult to hire migrant workers in Kaifeng now, as long as you have money and food.
When an army travels, civilian husbands are usually required to accompany the army. It was customary for the Song army to carry 20 to 30% of the army's troops to carry food and supplies, and the rest had to hire civilian men. Wang Xiaolie is a rebel, how can you tell the difference? Those who fought and those who carried the baggage were all together.
Ruzhou is not far from Luoyang. Strictly speaking, it is outside Luoyang. Zongze sent Wang Xiaolie to Luoyang, which was not inconsistent with his idea of returning home.
